Easy DIY: Make a Waterfall Cardigan Using a Free Sewing Pattern

Sewing a waterfall sweater is quick and easy with this simple pattern hack + video tutorial

Hey y’all, today I’m going to share how to make a waterfall cardigan, which is another easy hack to the basic cardigan pattern I shared earlier this month. This is also a great hack if you want to skip the buttonholes on the original cardigan, because a waterfall front like this doesn’t need buttons. However, you can play with using a vintage brooch to secure the front drape in different ways. This is a garment that can feel a little dressier than a plain cardigan.

While I wouldn’t call this an absolute beginner project, if you can find a stable sweater knit it’s probably an easier make than the original cardigan since you don’t need to do a hem band or buttonholes.

Materials to Sew a Cardigan

If you’d like to make your own cardigan, you’ll need:

• 1 3/4 yards of sweater knit fabric. Make sure to choose something that looks good on both sides of the fabric, as you will see the wrong side of the fabric in this design. A heathered colorway like the one I used will also help disguise the hem of the waterfall portion.
• Sewing machine that can sew a stretch stitch, and basic sewing notions like needles, pins, scissors etc.
• The PDF pattern. Check this post for the details to get the original cardigan pattern and to see how it was originally sewn.

The cardigan pattern in the free pattern gallery is for bust size up to 34 inches, so just like that tutorial you’ll want to re-size your pattern as needed before you do the hack to turn this into a waterfall front.

Video Tutorial for a Waterfall Cardigan

You can watch the video tutorial below or on YouTube here to see how I modified the pattern to make this waterfall version of my cardigan. If you prefer written instructions, scroll below the video.

How to Modify a Cardigan Pattern for a Waterfall Front

To make this cardigan, we’ll omit the hem band and neckband pieces from the original pattern. Since the hem band adds 2 1/2 inches to the finished length of the cardigan, if you want the same finished length you’ll need to add that amount on the lengthen/shorten line. You can add more if you want an even longer cardigan, but be sure to adjust the amount of fabric you buy accordingly. Note that I did not add that length to my sample, so mine is a little cropped from the original cardigan length.

Next, you’ll need to lay the front pattern piece on a large piece of paper. Put back pattern on top and line up the shoulders. Trace off the curve of the back piece. Then measure the front from the neck point to the hem.

After that, you’ll extend horizontally from the neck point the same amount as you measured down the center front. Measure the bottom of your pattern and extend half that amount out at the bottom. Connect the two points in a curve and round off the bottom corner. This is your modified front piece to make the cardigan.

Step by Step Instructions to Sew a Draped Front Sweater

As mentioned, you can also use a safety pin or brooch to play with your cardigan. Above you can see what it looks like if you pin the left edge under the right shoulder seam. Below is what it looks like if you wrap the left edge across and under your arm, then pin the right edge on top.

Hopefully you enjoy your waterfall cardigan!